Chinese cargo ship sinking off Paradeep port

A Chinese cargo vessel carrying iron ore and 27 crew members is sinking three km off Paradeep port in Orissa but all but one of the men have been rescued.

A Chinese cargo vessel carrying iron ore and 27 crew members is sinking three km off Paradeep port in Orissa but all but one of the men have been rescued.

Twenty six of the crew members had been rescued by the Coast Guard and CISF personnel and only the Captain of the ship “Black Rose” is still in it, CG and Paradeep Port authorities said.

“The ship started sinking about an hour ago and 75 per cent of it has already sunk ... The remaining crew member will be evacuated any time now,” Coast Guard Commandant, Paradeep, S Verghese said told PTI.

The ship is suspected to have developed a leak, he said.

‘Black Rose´ had loaded 20,000 tonnes of iron ore at Haldia port in West Bengal and was scheduled to load another 23,000 from Paradeep port. It, however, started sinking after loading just 7,000 tonnes at Paradeep, port authorities said.

The ship had anchored three km away from the port as all berths were occupied and it was being loaded with the help of boats.